Mbesuma’s behaviour in spotlight again

The habitually wayward Zambian has been ‘missing’ since Chipolopolo reached the last-eight of the Africa Cup of Nations last Monday.

Zobel, however, insists he is unconcerned by the burly 25-year-old’s absence.

“I have three other strikers. Who knows where Mbesuma got to, maybe Egypt,” he told SAPA.

“I really don’t care. I do not run after players,” he added.
When asked whether Mbesuma would face disciplinary action, Zobel replied: “That is up to the club and nothing to do with me.”

The eighth-placed Birds, who held Kaizer Chiefs to a goalless draw on Tuesday, will next face seventh-placed Bloemfontein Celtic at Seisa Ramabodu Stadium on Sunday.
Football365.co.za
The Sowetan newspaper earlier reported that Moroka Swallows’ Zambian striker Collins “Ntofontofo” Mbesuma’s ghosts came back to haunt him when he reported late for training after doing duty for his country at the African Cup of Nations in Angola.

The tournament finished on Sunday but Chipolopolo were booted out of the event in the quarterfinals last week.

It’s not the first time that the burly marksman has found himself in the wrong at the Birds aviary and it remains to be seen how long the club management will put up with his misdemeanours.

Mbesuma was conspicuous by his absence when Swallows drew 0-0 against Kaizer Chiefs at Ellis Park Stadium on Tuesday night.

Swallows coach Rainer Zobel admitted that he was disappointed by Mbesuma’s late arrival.

“Mbesuma arrived only (on Monday) and I’m very disappointed in him,” said Zobel after Tuesday’s match.

“I guess management will deal with the matter accordingly. I don’t know why he arrived late, maybe it was his father’s birthday or maybe he bought a new car. Maybe he was celebrating with the Egyptians for winning the tournament,” quipped the German coach.

Mbesuma’s future with the club remains in doubt after Zobel said “I have three quick and capable strikers”, which could mean the end for the man who was once the most feared

striker in the league during his spell at Chiefs.

Swallows chief executive Leon Prins said he would sit down with the player to find out why he arrived late. “I only found out about it from the coach last night. But this issue remains a private matter.

“Mbesuma is a very nice guy and we will listen to his side of the story before I can talk much about this matter. But if we find out he has been naughty, disciplinary measures will be taken against him,” Prins said.